Headaches

TMJ Headaches in Houston

Headaches can be part of life in Houston, but they don’t always have to be. Tension and migraine headaches are common side effects of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs). TMJ disorders can result when there is injury or fatigue to the temporomandibular joints, with one joint located on each side of the jaw. These joints, located just beneath the ears, connect to many muscle groups and nerves within the skull. When the TMJ area is damaged or injured, the muscles connected to the TMJ may contract or become inflamed. Damage to the jaw muscles can alter how the teeth come together to form the bite. Improper bite alignment can impact nerves in the skull and on the brain stem. Contact with those nerves can trigger crippling tension and migraine headaches. Dr. John Barras, DDS, LVIF can treat TMJ disorders to eliminate headaches caused by TMJ. Restoring the bite to the best position can relieve pressure and reduce muscle fatigue in the face and jaw. Achieve permanent relief from tension and migraine headaches caused by TMJ at Dentistry by John Barras, DDS.

Diagnose TMJ Headaches in Houston

Over ten million people in America are estimated to suffer from TMJ disorders. The signs, symptoms, and severity of TMJ disorders can vary from patient to patient. TMJ symptoms may begin subtly but tend to grow over time. Patients can spend years chasing temporary relief through chiropractors, ENT specialists, and other practitioners without diagnosing the root cause of tension and migraine headaches. Dr. John Barras, DDS, LVIF is specially-trained to diagnose and treat TMJ headaches (headaches caused by TMJ disorders). Correcting bite alignment, Dr. Barras can relieve pressure on the muscles and nerves connected to the TMJ for permanent relief from tension and migraine headaches caused by TMJ disorders. To find out if your headaches are caused by TMJ disorders contact Dentistry by John Barras, DDS for a complimentary TMJ examination.

Tension and Migraine Headaches in Houston

Many people develop tension and migraine headaches later in life. Our bites can change as we age. Injury, illness, dental health and more affect the way teeth come together. Our jawbones are designed to function with the muscles on each side of the face working together. When the bite changes, the jaw muscles on one side can start working harder than those on the other. This imbalance can lead to increased pressure on muscles and nerves in the face and neck. The additional buildup of lactic acid can contribute to discomfort. These can lead to TMJ headaches that strike with alarming frequency. Headaches caused by TMJ disorders may manifest as tension and migraine headaches. Dr. Barras, DDS, LVIF can diagnose TMJ disorders to treat tension and migraine headaches with permanent dental solutions.

TMJ Tension Headaches.Frequent tension headaches can be a symptom of a TMJ disorder. Those suffering from TMJ disorders often report frequent tension headaches. Tension headaches often include pressure and pain in the head and tenderness in the forehead. The unnatural muscle contraction and exertion caused by TMJ disorders can create pressure in the face and head, leading to tension headaches. These same contracted muscles prohibit blood flow, causing pain in the head. TMJ tension headaches are generally attributed to two causes.

Improper Bite. As the bite alignment changes from tooth wear and rotation, loss or other cause the muscles in the jaw will try to compensate. This can lead to one side of the face working harder than the other to close the jaw, creating tension and restricting blood flow.

Grinding Teeth.Grinding your teeth, a habit known as bruxism places a lot of strain on muscles connected to the TMJ. These muscles are overworked by grinding and become fatigued. A buildup of lactic acid in the jaw muscles can lead to TMJ tension headaches.

TMJ Migraine Headaches. TMJ disorders can also trigger migraine headaches. Migraine headaches are in a class all their own. Migraine headaches typically occur often, affecting distinct portions of the head. Someone suffering a TMJ migraine may experience pain on the left side of their head with the right side feeling unaffected. Migraine headaches may last for days, controlling the life of the sufferer.

TMJ migraines occur when improper bite alignment causes pressure on nerves in the brain stem. A TMJ migraine has a direct cause and may be treated by correcting bite alignment. Restoring the jaw to its proper range of motion can relieve pressure on the brain stem and eliminate TMJ migraines.